Sete fast in speed - slow in time!

Team Telefonica MoviStar Suzuki rider Sete Gibernau will start tomorrow's Portuguese GP from the third row of the grid, after setting the ninth fastest time in today's rain-hit final practice session.

"Because of the weather, we all had to wait until the end to try for a better lap time. We have a couple of things we want to change for tomorrow, then I will need to try and stay out as long as possible in morning warm-up to get some laps up. It was a very stressful end of session, but things like this happen sometimes. We've been working hard, and I think we deserved better," said Sete.

Both Suzuki riders have been enjoying the benefit of the major redesign to their slipper clutch, used for the first time at this meeting. Although riders and technicians are still working on basic adjustments, the advantages are clear, in smoother corner entry and more predictable throttle-closed performance.

"The redesigned slipper clutch is still very new, but already we're feeling the benefit. Kenny and Sete have both shown they can pull good results out of the bag if they can get a good start and then ride aggressively. Tomorrow's catch-phrase will be: 'Go for it'," stated Team Manager Garry Taylor

Gibernau's position came from a best time set yesterday - although strangely he did achieve the second-fastest speed-trap time this afternoon.

"It was a bit confusing, after Sete set second-fastest speed-trap time, but is only on the third row," confessed Taylor.

A big question for tomorrow concerns the weather. Dry but windy yesterday, it turned today, with several light showers making for difficult conditions. On past history, a wet track could favour both Suzuki riders.